A Soldier's Last Letter

A Merle Haggard song with pictures of us Military. aka: a Soldier's Letter. LINK: Youtube

Most Heavily Decorated Soldier

You want to meet a hero? Watch this film about Bob Howard who was nominated for the Medal of Honor 3 times. You can only receive it once in a lifetime. He was not a simple man. He had two masters degrees, but he also served us all for 50 years in the uniform of the U.S. Army. Rest in Peace, Bob Howard. LINK, Via: Youtube

Minn. town rallies around family of injured soldier

CLEVELAND, Minn. -- Cleveland, Minnesota wears its patriotism on its main drag. Friday night, its heart was on Fifth Street.

A good share of the town's 700 people lit candles for Army Pfc. Jack Zimmerman, who lost both legs Wednesday in an IED explosion in Afghanistan and now lies in a medically induced coma at a military hospital in Germany.

"It was very shocking, we're a small community," said Rachel Manser, who helped plan the get-together.

Rev. Shelly Olson, pastor at Our Savior's Lutheran, Jack's home church, told the crowd that Jack will need the people around him to be strong. "There is a saying I'd rather light a candle than curse the darkness and that's what we are doing tonight," she said.

And then they walked, from Jack's old high school to his parent's house - classmates, friends and people Jack barely knew.

"Just the unity of the community and the support I think goes a long way," said Ruby Hefner, who moved to Cleveland just a few months ago.

Jack's father Mark and mother Lori were waiting to in the driveway to greet and exchange hugs with their visitors, along with Jack's younger brother Andrew, a soldier himself who flew home from Fort Hood Thursday night.

A few feet away Megan Wolfe clung to a friend. She accepted Jack's marriage proposal just three weeks ago.

"It's overwhelming the amount of people that came out and I'm willing to bet I know most of them," said Jack's dad.

Jack's mother thanked the visitors for helping the family get through a difficult night. "When everybody leaves tonight the tears will start in again, and tomorrow morning when we wake up the tears will start in again, then we'll get tough and look for our flight to get Jacdak."

On Friday night, the best part of America was standing in a driveway in Cleveland. LINK

Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Update)

"LINK to the video."

This was fascinating as every motion was so perfectly executed.
The Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) is a monument dedicated to American service members who have died without their remains being identified.

Update: Sgt. Adam L. Dickmyer (the one doing the inspection), age 26, was killed in action in Afghanistan on Oct. 28, 2010. RIP.

Iowa Soldier to Receive Medal of Honor

President Obama is about to award the nation's highest military honor for bravery to Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, an Iowa soldier who was serving as a rifle team leader in Afghanistan when his platoon came under attack in 2007. (Nov. 15). LINK: Youtube

Audie Murphy Video Tribute

Audie Leon Murphy (1925-1971)
America's Most Decorated Soldier of WWII

The video displays through still images Murphy's role as a National icon and legend.

Medal of Honor Citation:
"Second Lieutenant Audie L. Murphy, 01692509, 15th Infantry, Army of the United States, on 26 January 1945, near Holtzwihr, France, commanded Company B, which was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. Lieutenant Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to a prepared position in a woods while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him to his right one of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. Lieutenant Murphy continued to direct artillery fire which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, Lieutenant Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer which was in danger of blowing up any instant and employed its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to the German fire from three sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back. For an hour the Germans tried every available weapon to eliminate Lieutenant Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad which was trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as 10 yards only to be mowed down by his fire. He received a leg wound but ignored it and continued the single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack which forced the Germans to withdraw. His directing of artillery fire wiped out many of the enemy; he personally killed or wounded about 50. Lieutenant Murphy's indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy's objective." More at the LINK: Youtube

Blinded Soldier Now Able To 'See' With His Tongue

A British soldier blinded by a grenade in Iraq has described how his life has been transformed by ground-breaking technology that enables him to 'see' with his tongue. Lance Corporal Craig Lundberg from Liverpool can read words, identify shapes and walk unaided thanks to the BrainPort device, despite being totally blind.

The BrainPort converts visual images into a series of electrical pulses which are sent to the tongue. The different strength of the tingles can be read or interpreted so the user can mentally visualise their surroundings and navigate around objects.
LINK: The Presurfer

MSNBC News

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

This has got to be one of the most heartbreaking stories of the year. It’s tough to take, but it has a way of putting everything in perspective. LINK